Release of Protoplasts from Schizophyllum commune by a Lytic Enzyme Preparation from Trichoderma viride

SUMMARY: Spherical, osmotically sensitive protoplasts were liberated from the mycelium of Schizophyllum commune through the action of an extracellular enzyme preparation from the culture filtrate of Trichoderma viride grown on hyphal walls of the former organism. The conditions for obtaining stable protoplasts were determined. Maximum numbers of protoplasts were released from young growing mycelium by using MgSO4 or KCI at an osmotic potential between −12.8 and −17.8 atm in the presence of 0.05 M-maleic acid-NaOH at pH 5.8. Protoplasts were released through ruptures in the wall, initially at the apices, but later also from older parts of the hyphae.